Authorities: Slaughter of 4 bald eagles an 'egregious act'
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GRANITE FALLS, Wash. -- Investigators increased the reward Thursday to $13,750 in the case of four bald eagles shot dead outside of Granite Falls.
The birds - three adults and one juvenile - were found last week floating in a lake on private property, said Sgt. Jennifer Maurstad with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. A wildlife officer kayaking on the lake for work spotted the birds and reported them.
Investigators believe at least three of the birds were killed using a small-caliber rifle and were likely perched in trees before falling to their deaths, officials said.
"Normally when eagles are poached, it's for financial reasons, because their feathers and talons are worth money," Maurstad said, "but in this case, they were just left for dead."
Bald eagles are protected under state and federal law. The penalties for killing one include fines of up to $3,000 per eagle, in addition to 90 days in jail.
"Even though their numbers have increased, it's still illegal," Maurstad said. "It's an egregious act. It's the bird that is our national symbol, so just very brazen."
Hardware store owner Dan Meeks, who displays an American flag outside his shop and has two eagle tattoos on his left arm, was nearly brought to tears upon hearing the news of the eagles' killing.
"Hearing that these eagles were killed here in Granite makes me sick," Meeks said. "(I) swallow hard … I'm mad."
"People talk in Granite Falls," he continued, "so if the kids that shot those are from around here, people in town will find out."
Investigators aren't sure if the birds were shot by adults or kids, but hope the larger reward - thanks to a $10,000 contribution from the Stillaguamish Tribe - helps.
"It's unfortunate," she said. "It's a mystery why you would just shoot them and leave them."
The birds - three adults and one juvenile - were found last week floating in a lake on private property, said Sgt. Jennifer Maurstad with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. A wildlife officer kayaking on the lake for work spotted the birds and reported them.
Investigators believe at least three of the birds were killed using a small-caliber rifle and were likely perched in trees before falling to their deaths, officials said.
"Normally when eagles are poached, it's for financial reasons, because their feathers and talons are worth money," Maurstad said, "but in this case, they were just left for dead."
Bald eagles are protected under state and federal law. The penalties for killing one include fines of up to $3,000 per eagle, in addition to 90 days in jail.
"Even though their numbers have increased, it's still illegal," Maurstad said. "It's an egregious act. It's the bird that is our national symbol, so just very brazen."
Hardware store owner Dan Meeks, who displays an American flag outside his shop and has two eagle tattoos on his left arm, was nearly brought to tears upon hearing the news of the eagles' killing.
"Hearing that these eagles were killed here in Granite makes me sick," Meeks said. "(I) swallow hard … I'm mad."
"People talk in Granite Falls," he continued, "so if the kids that shot those are from around here, people in town will find out."
Investigators aren't sure if the birds were shot by adults or kids, but hope the larger reward - thanks to a $10,000 contribution from the Stillaguamish Tribe - helps.
"It's unfortunate," she said. "It's a mystery why you would just shoot them and leave them."
what is REALLY interesting is the entire thread and fb page that this story was on has disappeared from facebook in the past 24 hrs... o.O
WTF
I find the reaction to this hilarious. So much hypocrisy it makes me want to cry. Â
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A) Native Americans are angry because it's a sacred animal.. yet they fight to hunt whales out of "tradition". Â
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B) People are crying because it's a beautiful and majestic animal, yet probably over half of them hunt and kill other beautiful and majestic animals..and yes.. often for sport. Â
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C) Most of the people here are against gun control, yet.. well.. what do ya know? This is yet another example of idiots getting their hands on guns. Â
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The fact is, the only reason people are so up in arms (pun intended) over this is because it's the state bird. I'm not saying it was right to kill these.. but if this were a some lesser known, non "symbolic" bird that was endangered, no one would care. Hell, I see people say "Hang em!" for doing this.. yet I've heard others say "It's just a dog" when a dog is abused by a human and the human is caught for doing it. All in all, it's ridiculous.
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Like I said, I don't think it was right at all for these birds to be killed.. but at the same time.. why is that? Is it because it's a bird? Is it because I'm oh-so-patriotic? Will you all rally against the next person who kills an endangered guppy? Probably not. Â That said.. enjoy your meal of dead bird / dead cow tomorrow.
 @TyzFrost <- very out of tune person. Its not a State Bird, Washington State bird is the  Goldfinch. Sigh.. I bet you have no idea what the State Flower is either... (And why are you living here if you do not know that? Be responsible for the oxygen you use) The reason people are up in arms about this is the lack of HONOR that current generations are presenting. Growth needed. They , millions of human beings, have no concept of what made this nation great, and are selling it out with their lack of interest in anything outside themselves. Who was the first governor of Washington State? If you do not know, LEAVE! BE RESPONSIBLE, like the generations before you!
 @Ignoramos Not out of tune, just tired and annoyed. Obviously, I meant Nation's symbol. I also have no qualms with what you're saying, and actually agree with you. I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy I see here. I guess I just find it hilarious when "symbolism" and "patriotism" somehow outshines morality -- but then again, it's engraved in our history as a country. We kill people, it's cool.. they kill us, it isn't. We kill for killing.. and it's acceptable.. as long as you're on the right side.
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Anyway, that's a whole separate topic.. but it all relates to my point.. and that is, to state that the idiot who killed these birds needs to be shot/castrated/hung/whatever outrageous suggestion is spewed out is absurd. Fined/punished according to the law regarding endangered species? Hell yes. But hung simply because it's a "symbol" is ridiculous. Especially when, as I said, almost no one here would be saying the same thing if it was an endangered guppy being killed. The only reason this is so "heart breaking" is because the bald eagle is symbolic. It's patriotic to be horrified.. and I personally don't understand that.Â
 @TyzFrost I support hunters that do so legally and use the animal is used for food. I do not support killing for fun or 'just because'. If someone has killed a protected animal, they should be fined and/or jailed, whatever the courts call for. I would feel the same if someone had gone out and shot a group of robins.As much as I hate to see these birds killed, I do not think killing the shooter or shooters is appropriate.
 @queenofthenight Then I completely agree with you. I'm in no way saying it's right to kill these birds.
Sorry to hear about this, but there were likely more killed.
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Someone is very reckless and young... or just has mental issues. Hopefully this person or people are found and prosecuted.
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This is flat out sick. Who would do such a thing. Bald eagles are so peaceful to watch. I hope the shooter(s) will soon be found. Maybe we can tie up the guilty party and shoot 'em in the head repeatedly with BB guns.Â
Symbols of our great country are shot and left dead.
Once the shooter(s) are identified, I vote to ship them to Russia
 @lisamba09:Â
I disagree. Send them to Quantico, and then attach them to taargets in "shoot/don't shoot" training - they'll never know when/if they are going to be shot but eventually will be. The dread of them flipping around, facing down a barrel & not knowing what will happen over & over would be a very good punishment.
Disgusting.
Sounds like some kids got their red rider BB guns for xmas
sad
I know some people may feel this is just a bird, but 90 days isn't enough. An act of terrorism or treason if you ask me.Â
I would bet anything it was property developers. This happened in California when there was a group of protected owls nesting on land the property developers wanted. They went in and shot all of them so that they could start working on the land. It's all about the money to these people!Â
Him?
Sad, and the perp needs to be caught asap.
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I'd look at property owners that have complained about not being able to develop 'their' land due to eagle nests and the prevalence of the birds. Look into applications for building on the lake.
Sad and pathetic. Hopefully the shooter (or shooters) is smart enough to brag to all their friends and some of those friends turn them in. Until then, may flocks of birds "rain" on them, when they are unarmed, until they are brought to justice.
This is down right cruel and in-humane. Why would anyone should eagles and then leave them. I saw this last night on the news and was very upset. They are harmless unless you get into their territory. I hope they find the person or person's that killed and get what they deserve.
Come on come forward, nark one of your friends off, 13K is ALOT of money...... someone will leak the loser out
Whoever did this needs to be locked up with the key discarded. I'm old enough to remember when seeing a bald eagle anywhere in the lower 48 was an incredibly rare event. They are such a beautiful bird.
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Seeing our national symbol treated like this really turns my stomach.
I'll tell ya one thing, if I had any info that led to the suspect, I really don't think I would even do it for the reward money. Absolutely disgusting!
 @Zoso Zep, I follow you a lot, You have a bit of style and presentation I respect, even when I disagree (not this story as we agree). keep active here.  :)
 @Zoso Exactly!
I almost couldn't click on this story. I can not find words to describe how upsetting this is. I wonder if any of them are the ones I have had the pleasure of seeing soar over the lake here? Makes me nauseous. It's just evil.
 @Thunder I felt the exact same way. I saw the title and I felt sick! WTF is wrong with people nowadays!?
I have faith that the individual(s) responsible will be found & justice will be served!!!!
Sickos
Well thank goodness that the right to shoot our national symbol was not impeded by background checks or laws. I mean guns don't shoot eagles, dangerous video game playing minorities do.
@Howard Beale Be careful, Howard. Your ignorance is showing.
 @Howard Beale New low Howard!  Congratulations.  Your parents should be proud.
 @Howard Beale Trolling with inflammatory straw men again, I see.
 @RN1  @Howard Beale Well it is his way...
Wow, this thread went political pretty damn fast. Amazing and yet disheartening too. Back to the actual story at hand, I hope they catch who did this and throw the book at 'em. Seems like in any community, there's always a sick person or persons who seem to hate all things wild and beautiful and will try to destroy them. A few years ago, we had a majestic albino bull elk living in the area until some bunghole shot it. I think that person even got some kind of prize for doing it. So he got his rare elk and the rest of us lost a chance to see it in the wild.
If I had known about that elk, I would have shot it too.. probably a few hundred times... maybe even used an entire memory card on it... LOL Â
My sentiments exactly.. however I do like to do both.. hunt with a rifle, and hunt with a camera.. (camera hunting can be far more dangerous... because you always want to get closer..)
@Mr. H:Â
Robert Capa, the famous WWII photographer, stated "If your pictures aren't good enough, you weren't close enough".
.. as everyone rushes to KFC for a dinner of dead bird.
 @Geoffrey Willinger Yeah, as if KFC serves protected American Bald Eagle.
I can hear Michelle Obama now. "All this over a damn bird?"
 @CenterFire Four poached eagles to hating the first lady in one easy click... you've got it down pretty good there.
 @tufa23  @CenterFire Considering your posts in the past you are hardly one to talk, sheesh.
Does the story not sell it's self Komo?? Â Do you have to post the close up still photo for the web video too? Â It bleeds it leads....... Â Some times human nature sucks. Â
 @Sporty1600 No it didn't. I needed those pictures.
I'm guessing this is the act of a patriotic gun owner.  Maybe starting thier little revolution they keep threatening.
 @T H I S What would an article be without THIS maligning people in one way or another. Gotta get those ad hominems in one way or another eh THIS?
 @T H I S You are pathetic
 @T H I S You are sick. Only a sick, sick person would do such a thing. I agree with Wolfen, some sick liberal did this.
 @AV8RJIM  @T H I S How come it's a liberal? Geez get a new mantra will you guys....next up, it's the presidents fault right??
 @lizziemac  @AV8RJIM  @T H I S Well after 8 years of everything from bad hair to the common cold being blamed on Bush by the liberals I'd say the conservatives are taking a page from the liberal playbook and running with it. Now the liberals are complaining. Rather funny to watch frankly.
Yes, it was Obama's fault..Â
 @AV8RJIM Of course you do. You and wolfen live in a special little world where only liberals commit crimes because something something something, no true scotsman something derp.
@T H I S....you are rambling again.
 @T H I S  @AV8RJIM Oh THIS, I thought you could do MUCH better than THAT comment. Even my LIBERAL friends are getting a huge chuckle at your expense. (yes THIS, I have Liberal friends also. Ones capable of RATIONAL thought.) YOU my "friend" tried to blame the death of these eagles on a "patriotic gun owner"....emphasis on GUN. Trying to keep pushing your anti gun agenda? Even my LIBERAL friends have enough common sense to know that a non living, non breathing, non thinking OBJECT is not capable of doing ANYTHING on it's own. It's the jackass who's mommy and daddy never whupped their dumb ass when they were a kid HOLDING that gun that is the problem. God Bless America, SOME of us out here can actually separate FACTS from hyped up, blame game, fantasy.
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 @Wolfen becuase welfare gangbangers often go out in the woods to go shooting?Â
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i do not think you have thought.... well at all to be hones.
 @T H I S  @Wolfen No, they go out there to make meth to sell to all those city-folks you find so cultured and properly left-thinking.
 @T H I S I didn't think of that and that would make sense with the way people think now a days.